The Special One returns to Chelsea: Top 10 Jose Mourinho quotes during his previous reign at Stamford Bridge

As the world prepares for Jose Mourinho to be officially unveiled as the new Chelsea manager, we take a look back at The Special One’s top 10 memorable quotes from his previous reign at Stamford Bridge.

‘The dog is fine in Portugal – that big threat is away – you don’t have to worry about crime anymore.’

This quote came after police questioned whether Mourinho’s Yorkshire Terrier had a pet passport. The dog was also involved in an inoculations mix up, which led to Mourinho being cautioned by the police.

‘Some clubs are treated as devils, some are treated as angels. I don’t think we are so ugly that we should be seen as the devil and I don’t think Arsene Wenger and David Dein are so beautiful that they should be viewed as angels.’

During his first reign at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho quickly gained a reputation for mind games in the build-up to big matches. This was just one of his taunts to Arsenal and their boss, Arsene Wenger.

As well as his pre-match antics, Mourinho did not shy away during post-match interviews. After being knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona in 2006, this outburst led to a touchline ban by UEFA.

‘Barcelona are a great club. But in 200 years of history they have won the European Cup only once. I have been managing for a few years and I have already won the same amount.’

Yet another of Mourinho’s conference taunts. Barcelona went on to win the Champion League that year, as well as in 2009 and 2011. In contrast, Mourinho has only won it once more, during his short spell at Inter Milan.

‘I don’t regret it… I have a lot of respect for Liverpool fans and what I did, the sign of silence – ‘shut your mouth’ – was not for them, it was for the English press.’

Following Chelsea’s 3-2 win in extra time over Liverpool in the 2005 Carling Cup Final, Mourinho defended putting a finger to his lips by instead aiming it at the British press. The action was not the last time The Special One was sent to the stands.

Reunited: Abramovich and Mourinho have put their differences behind them (Picture: AP)

‘If Roman Abramovich helped me out in training we would be bottom of the league and if I had to work in his world of big business, we would be bankrupt!’

Mourinho describes bluntly his relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Arguments between the two of them eventually led to his departure from Chelsea by ‘mutual consent’ in September 2007.

‘Look at my haircut. I am ready for the war.’

Speaking at the launch of a new shirt deal between Chelsea and Adidas, the event also became a chance for him to unveil his new, short-trimmed haircut. At the event, Mourinho also said he wanted Damien Duff and Asier Del Horno to leave the club.

‘There are some guys who, when they are at home, have this big telescope to look into the homes of other people and see what is happening. Wenger must be one of them – and it is a sickness.’

‘No eggs, no omelette. And it depends on the quality of the eggs. In the supermarket, you have eggs class one, class two, class three. Some are more expensive than others and some give you better omelettes. So when the class one eggs are in Waitrose and you cannot go there, you have a problem.’

This creative metaphor was Mourinho’s parting shot at Roman Abramovich at the end of his last spell with the club. He was criticising the owner for not investing in quality players when the squad was hit by injury. We are yet to see whether time has healed the wounds between the two.

‘Please don’t call me arrogant, but I’m European champion and I think I’m a special one.’

From his unveiling in 2004, this quote grabbed instant attention and led to Mourinho being dubbed ‘The Special One’, a nickname which seems to have stuck. We’ll leave it to you to decide whether he is arrogant or not.